Is Palm webOS too little and too late?

"We're going open source" can be the same thing as a publication saying "we're going to the Web." It's something to say instead of "we're shutting the doors," often a prelude to it.

Too often open source is to business what patriotism is to a politician, the last refuge of a scoundrel. In both cases the innocent concept is harmed by those hiding behind it.

It's with this in mind that I approach the story of the open source Palm webOS. Great, in theory. The device is attractive, it has a good set of applications, and it could be a bridge between the lap and the coat pocket, one we have long needed.  

If this had happened last year, or the year before, or the year before that, I might be quite happy, even ecstatic.

But Palm has missed so many technology trains since the heyday of the palmtop that I have despaired. I don't think the issue of old PalmOS applications is that important.

What's important to me is the timing. And the timing here is late. Very late. Too late.

Fact is the world has moved on. After years of waiting on Palm to create a true laptop-pocket bridge, we have moved on to the joy of Internet clients that fit in your hand. That's the future.

Palm remains locked in the past, and its coming failure should not be laid at the door of open source. Palm lost the plot years ago, and a Clue that comes after the game is over is not worth very much.

Although I would love to be proven wrong. Am I? [poll id=98]